Community people: Danny Hipps, Chris Olson and John Paul DavisTHE COURIER / Submitted Danny Hipps (center) with Phil Wright Auto of Russellville presented a check in the amount of $6,000 to Chris Olson (left) and John Paul Davis with the RussVegas Foot Races Foundation. This year's activities will begin Friday.

1 in 10 county residents licensed to carry concealed weapons An estimated 1 in 10 Pope County adults are licensed to carry a concealed handgun based on data from the Arkansas State Police and the U.S. Census Bureau. A spokesman for the Arkansas State Police said recently that 5,036 concealed carry licenses are registered to residents of Pope County. The most recent data available from the U.S. Census Bureau shows Pope County has an estimated population of 49,109 adults (18 years of age or older). ...

Community people: Van Parker, Charlie Cravens and Bob SykesTHE COURIER / Submitted Van Parker (center) with the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System stands with Kiwanians Charlie Cravens (left) and Bob Sykes. Parker recently spoke to the club about the services offered to veterans at the clinic at 3106 W. Second St. in Russellville.

Community people: Amanda ChronisterTHE COURIER / Submitted Amanda Chronister (pictured) and Amy Gray, an Arkansas Tech University (ATU) senior intern, visited the Lions Club to talk about Help Network, founded by the Russellville Ministerial Alliance in 1992, to give "A Hand Up Not A Hand Out." Help Network assists people paying bills on a month to month basis as well as helping stranded travelers with gas money. Last year, the Russellville Lions Club paid over $4,000 for glass...

Community people: Frank Russenberger, Meg Fox and Beverly CooperTHE COURIER / Submitted Master gardeners Frank Russenberger and Meg Fox recently spoke to the Russellville Downtown Rotary Club. They spoke about projects they plant and maintain including the garden of hope downtown and the harmony garden at First United Methodist Church. Pictured with Russenberger and Fox is Rotarian Beverly Cooper.

Community people: Judy Olsen, Bill Sparks, Suzanne Hodges and Betsy McGuire.THE COURIER / Submitted Russellville Lions were treated to a song "Grand Old Lady" by Judy Olsen (left) and Bill Sparks as part of the upcoming anniversaries of Main Street Russellville and the historic downtown depot. Taste of the Valley on Thursday, April 27, will celebrate Main Street Russellville's 25th anniversary, and Reunion Around the Rails on Saturday, May 27, will celebrate the depot's 100th birthday. Suzanne Hodges (third from left)...

#throwbackthursdayReprinted from a 1967 edition of the Courier-Democrat. Nominations for Russellville High School's Snowflake King and Queen are (from left) Barbara Watts, Alice Ann Hampton, Bobby Bartlett, Monna Lee, Johnny Morgan, Polly Crowley, Jerry Killion and Leah Gayle Hutchins. Not pictured is king nominee Bobby Green. The king and queen will be crowned at the annual Snowflake Ball sponsored by the Russellville High School Pep Club.

Community people:Hayden Bowden, Audrey Deleuil and Ivy SweedenFuture Business Leaders of America recently had their annual state competition which took place at the State House Convention center in Little Rock. More than 3,000 students from all across Arkansas competed in various events. Atkins High School took second place in Mobile App Development. Hayden Bowden, Audrey Deleuil and Ivy Sweeden in June will move on to FBLA Nationals in Anaheim, Calif., to compete against students across the country. THE...

Community people: Logan ViaTHE COURIER / Submitted Students from the Arkansas Tech University U.S. Army ROTC program provided the color guard for a concert by the U.S. Army Field Band at The Center for the Arts on the campus of Russellville High School on Sunday, April 2. ATU students participating in the color guard included (from left) junior Gideon Singleton of Little Rock, freshman Logan Via of Dardanelle and sophomore Aiden Brummett of Berryville. It was the culmin...

Community people: Art Jones, Jenny Riley Bain, Ashley LaRue and Lori KamerlingTHE COURIER / Submitted The Russellville Rotary Club received program information from the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) staff members (second from left to right) Jenny Riley Bain, Ashley LaRue and Lori Kamerling. The AAA services help seniors remain happy and healthy throughout their senior years. Pictured with the AAA staff members is Rotarian Art Jones.

Community people: Dr. Sarah McKeonTHE COURIER / Submitted Pictured is Dr. Sarah McKeon (right of center), director of bands at Texas Tech University, who visited the Russellville Junior High School on Friday. McKeon worked with the RJHS Bands as part of the Arkansas Tech University Southern Regional Concert Band Festival.

Reprinted from a 1971 edition of the Courier-DemocratReprinted from a 1971 edition of the Courier-Democrat. Qualifying for seats in All Region Band at a clinic in Fort Smith were Dardanelle High School students (from left) Danny Wood, Betti Blevins, J.D. Parker and Steve Edge.

Rogers retires from two 30-plus year careersThings are changing for Ron Rogers. The Russellville Junior High School teacher will retire at the end of the school year after 35 years of teaching. He clocked in for the last time at his second job at Kroger in March after 39 years. Rogers wore the same blue tie he wore on his first day on the job at Kroger. Rogers got married, will turn 57 soon and plans to move to Vilonia after the school year is up. It's exciting, but it's a little scary,...

by
BY TRAVIS SIMPSONsimpson@couriernews.comThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Community people: Regions BankTHE COURIER / Submitted Regions Bank is a silver spur sponsor of Banquet At The Barn. The Banquet at the Barn goes to benefit the Equestrian Zone. The Equestrian Zone is a nonprofit organization that provides therapy to children with disabilities to improve functional independence.